Anti-Gay Groups Make Hate List

Earlier this week, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) released a list of political and religious groups they have identified as "hate groups".

Founded in 1971 by civil rights lawyers, the Southern Poverty Law Center tracks and exposes the activities of hate groups and is considered one of the leading organizations on the subject.

SPCL listed the groups because of their "propagation of known falsehoods" about LGBT people and "repeated, groundless name calling".

(Right: Mat Staver, founder of hate group, Liberty Counsel.)

The list included many groups from Florida, including the Liberty Counsel (Orlando), Dove Outreach World (Gainesville) and Coral Ridge Ministries (Ft. Lauderdale). Other groups include the American Family Association, Concerned Women for America, Americans for Truth About Homosexuality.

Since Liberty Counsel is from my home town and they were some of the biggest proponents of Amendment 2 (that little constitutional amendment to ensure LGBT Floridians can't marry), I'd like to go ahead and post some choice quotes about the Liberty Counsel.

"The organization may be best known for its campaigns to ensure that “public displays of religion” aremaintained during the Christmas holiday, and it has adopted broad right-wing views, including the allegation that the Obama Administration has a “socialist liberal agenda.” But it also has focused heavily on anti-gay activism."

"In 2009, J. Matt Barber, formerly with Concerned Women for America and Americans for Truth AboutHomosexuality (see above for both), joined Liberty Counsel as director of cultural affairs (also becomingLiberty University’s associate dean for career and professional development). A year earlier, Barber hadargued that given “medical evidence about the dangers of homosexuality,” it should be considered 'criminally reckless for educators to teach children that homosexual conduct is a normal, safe and perfectly acceptable alternative.'"

Last but certainly not least:

"The Counsel also has been active in battling same-sex marriage, saying it would destroy the 'bedrock ofsociety.' In 2005, the group’s blog said: 'People who … support the radical homosexual agenda will not rest until marriage has become completely devalued. Children will suffer most from this debauchery.' A 2007 blog posting said same-sex marriage would 'severely impact future generations.'"